Red Bull's difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season has been attributed to a late strategic decision on car development, according to team chief Laurent Mekies. The team has struggled, with Max Verstappen managing only 12 points from the first three races, leading to speculation about his future in the sport.
Verstappen, a four-time world champion, has hinted at quitting F1, citing a lack of enjoyment amid new technical regulations. After finishing eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix, he said he was 'thinking about everything inside the paddock' and admitted his current mindset is 'not very healthy'.
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has identified Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli as a potential replacement for Verstappen at Red Bull. Antonelli has impressed with back-to-back wins in China and Japan, and Herbert believes he could represent the next generational leap in talent, potentially surpassing Verstappen.
Antonelli, however, remains focused on his own performance at Mercedes, where he shares the spotlight with team-mate George Russell. He insists he is not worried about a rivalry, saying: 'I'm just going to focus on myself, on what I need to do, trying to get everything right.'
Mekies explained that Red Bull's sluggish start stemmed from a late call on the 2026 car's development path, which hampered winter preparation. He defended the decision, stating it was the right move despite leaving the team playing catch-up with rivals.
